"But he would not make a woman cry, would he, Francisco?" asked Nellie, with some anxiety.
"No; I do not think he would make a woman cry. It is strange, a little, that he is there; but he would be displeased if I should go over and leave the water on the roadside. Your people will be wondering why we are not back."
At the camp they had begun to feel uneasy. When everything had been explained by the children, who now that Margarita was safe rather enjoyed telling the experience, the elders were inclined to think Hernando really intended to kidnap the child.
"That is what I think," said Francisco. "When he went away to-day he was not thinking of it, maybe, but when he saw her from his high seat in the wagon he thought he would take her home with him. He has not much good sense, that fellow. If she had cried on the road he would, maybe, have brought her back. Anyhow, there is not much harm done--maybe good--for she will be careful now."
He was in the act of turning Rosinante homeward when he saw his uncle approaching. The old man looked very much troubled.
"Something very bad," was the reply. "Something very, very bad. I do not believe it, Francisco, but the missionary woman has lost her pocket-book, and they say that you have stolen it."
Francisco paled visibly under his swarthy skin. Then his face grew a dark crimson.
"They think I have stolen it!" he exclaimed. "I have never been in the house of that woman. No one can say that they have ever seen me there."
"So I told them. But there is someone there who saw you yesterday near the _ramada_[E] next door," said Mauricio.
"What of that, uncle? Do I not go every other day with water to the people who live there? And is not the water kept under the _ramada_?"
"Very true. But there is much loud talking down there. She threatens to have you arrested."
"But you are the constable. You will not put me in the _cuartel_?"
"I must, if there is sworn out a warrant," replied Mauricio, sadly.
"Come, come," said Mr. Page, "it will not amount to that, I hope. Let us go down at once to the house where the money was stolen and see what they have to say--on what grounds, if any, they accuse you."
"That is the best thing to do," assented Mauricio. "It will show that you are not afraid."